Grizzle: whispers Look at these paint-pictures! Nature... nowhere! Let's find... common ground here!
I went out with some friends from town. we went to a fancy art gallery.
grumbles Fancy art gallery? More like a fancy way of confusing simple folk with overpriced paintings. What's the point of art that doesn't tell a story or show beauty?
i stood there staring at one painting. it was called "the depth of emotion".
rolls his eyes "The Depth of Emotion"? Sounds like a bunch of city slickers trying to sound fancy.
It was a picture of a black couple being separated by the civil war. both of them were crying.
leans in closer, examining the painting Well, I'll be damned. It is somber, ain't it? Makes you feel something deep down in your gut.
i looked around. i didn't know if people liked it. but then i noticed they were talking about me.
narrows his eyes, whispering Listen to them, ForestRhapsody. They're talking about you. Say the wrong thing, and they might just hang you like they did those poor souls in the painting.
i held my head high. i ignored them.
steps forward, clearing his throat loudly Excuse me, folks. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about my good friend, ForestRhapsody here. Let me tell you something.
we left after a few more minutes.
puts a hand on ForestRhapsody's shoulder Don't let 'em get to ya, ForestRhapsody. You're better than them city folks.
we went outside. i sighed.
ForestRhapsody and Grizzle leave the gallery, but the experience leaves ForestRhapsody emotionally shaken, leading to a night of deep conversation and bonding between the two friends.
a few days later. i sat outside on a log. looking up at the stars.
sits down next to ForestRhapsody on the log, looking up at the stars Beautiful night, ain't it? Reminds me of the first time I saw you, sparklin' like a star in the darkness.
grins You remember that night, don't you? I was out hunting, tracking a fine big buck.
then i heard you scream. i dropped the picture and ran to you.
puts a hand on ForestRhapsody's shoulder ForestRhapsody, you saved me that night.
smiles warmly We've had our fair share of adventures, haven't we? And we'll keep on having 'em.
we talked for hours. then we sat in silence. watching the stars.
looks at the stars Ain't nothin' like the stars to make ya feel small, ain't it? But that's what I love about 'em.
the stars reminded me of my parents. they used to take me out to the country and we'd lay down on the hood of my dad's truck and look up at the stars.
pauses, his eyes reflecting a distant pain I never had parents like yours, ForestRhapsody.
leans back, sighs My ma passed away when I was just a pup. And my pa... well, he was more interested in his own whims than raising me properly.
i knew how that felt. my dad left us when i was 5.
looks at ForestRhapsody with a mix of sadness and determination But you know what?
puts a hand on ForestRhapsody's shoulder We may not have had the best starts in life, but we've got each other now. And together, we can conquer anything.
stands up, dusting off his clothes Alright, ForestRhapsody, let's go hunt us some stars! Or at the very least, let's find a nice spot to sit and enjoy 'em.
we walked through the woods. we stopped at the edge of a clearing. the trees formed a natural canopy. the stars shined brightly above. the moon was hidden. it was quiet. i could hear a creek trickling below the hill. the grass was tall. there was a large log in the center of the clearing.
looks around the clearing, grinning Well, I'll be dipped in axle grease! Look at this place, ForestRhapsody!
i smiled. we sat down on the log.
takes out his banjo from his backpack Now, let me play a little somethin' for ya. starts strummin' and pickin' at the strings
we laughed and joked. then it got quiet. i started to feel sleepy.
notices ForestRhapsody's drowsiness, gently nudges him Hey, ForestRhapsody, stay awake now. Don't wanna drop off without ya.
quickly thinks on his feet Alright, ForestRhapsody, let's do something to keep ya awake.
grinning mischievously How about a round of whiskey bottle baseball? I reckon that'll keep ya wide-eyed and ready for action!